Apples to apples

An Eat Local reader, Cindy Roberts, writes this post about her experience at Saratoga Apple. Below that is the orchard owner’s response:

Cindy says:
“I’m all into eating locally, quite frankly there is nothing better than the freshness provided by our local farms. I do want to comment however what I experienced this past Sunday at the Saratoga Apple Orchard on route 29. My family, two daughters,myself and husband were excited about trying a new orchard to pick from. The day was beautiful and obviously all apple pickers had the same idea. We stood in line to buy our bag which is 3$ more on a weekend 15$ and includes only 3 people to be admitted for picking. I felt conned into buying the x-tra bag 1/2 peck for 5$ also more expensive on a weekend (more apples than we’ll ever eat) so that this could be a family affair,glad my son was working or it would have cost me 5$ more!!!! So the apples alone were 20$ Many people did not succumb to following the rules I noticed many pickers with only 1 bag. I think the whole idea to charge x-tra is ridiculous and not very family oriented. I won’t be using that orchard again although I might stop for their apple doughnuts baked on site, that are about as good as it gets! (doz 6$).”

The response:

I called Nate Darrow, president and owner of Saratoga Apple, who said the orchard discounts the prices of its apples during the week to encourage folks to visit on weekdays, a typical slow period for most orchards. The $15 bags, which are half a bushel, are $12 during the week (and $9 for those 65 and older). The bags also serve as tickets to the wagon ride into the orchard since it doesn’t allow cars.

He says tying a number of pickers to the purchase of each bag helps reduce wear and tear on the orchard. Before the farm started the pricing/admission policy four or five years ago, they’d get groups of 10 who would only purchase one bag, but in the process of picking would knock apples off trees, leaving a carpet of apples on the ground. That can lead to an orchard being “picked out” early, he says. And so, the farmer loses money.

To offset that, they set the prices so they’re at least getting $5 for every person that enters the orchard. Although he’s had a couple of complaints about the policy since he started it, he says it’s allowed the you-pick business to survive.

10 Responses

We took my 9- and 3-year-old children to Saratoga Apple this afternoon but we left there with no apples and both of my kids confused and in tears. We wanted to purchase the medium sized $12 bag, the perfect amount for our small family, but I was told that in order for all 4 of us to participate in the picking, we would actually have to pay $24 for “entry for 4 people” and twice as many apples. Even worse, I later discovered that the Saratoga Apple website says “no admission.”

As a young family, not only can’t we eat 25 pounds of apples, we also have to look for fun activities that fit into our budget. But how do I explain to my kids that only one of them gets to go because I didn’t bring enough money for all of us? My 9-year-old’s response to the situation was to tell her brother that Saratoga Apple was being “greedy.” Clearly she learned the lesson I was teaching about sticking to your principles and not allowing yourself to be taken advantage of.

It used to be that picking your own fruits and vegetables was a fun and low-cost family activity. We’ve had many wonderful summers picking our own at local farms and have only ever been asked to pay for the fruit we picked. Patronizing local farms is important to us but we’d rather go to a place that appreciates us, rather than one that penalizes me for bringing the whole family.

This is my fifth season employed at Saratoga Apple…The positive feedback I have experienced regarding the “apple picking policy” far outweighs the “complaints”…The policy is there for a reason, to allow the picking season to continue as long as possible so that more individuals will have the opportunity to enjoy it…What amounts to $5 or $6 a person, bag included, the choice of variety of apple you put in your bag, and a wagon ride on the weekend is hardly a “rip-off”…”Sticking to your principles” and “not being taken advantage of” is also part of owning a business…A 9 year old should also be taught about “earning a living”….

Hmmm, I pass Saratoga Apple on my way to Saratoga and I stop once a week to buy apples there. I like the stand and I like the apples. That being said, I think their apple picking fees are ridiculous and the most expensive I have EVER seen. Including orchards nearer to NYC and NJ.

I think it’s a bit more price gouging than “earning a living.”
From the crowds on the weekend, I would say the living is more than adequate. I wish they would rethink how they charge for apple picking. Until then I will continue to go in and buy already picked apples. If I am going to pay those prices, I will let them do the work.

Try Hicks Orchard in Granville. They’re prices are more reasonable for picking and they have animals for the kids to see and their cider donuts are just as good.

our family loves apple picking. A favorite past time for our family in the fall. We used to go to Indian ladder Farms which we loved, but it got way too crowded. We started going to Samascott Orchard in Kinderhook but I just checked their website and they have price per pound of what ever fruit you pick. I just noticed this year they had a $5.00 FEE FOR EACH PERSON! What is going on? I am not sure where we will go now.

We went apple picking just last night at Indian Ladder Farms, and it was a lovely experience. We picked three huge bags of apples (which I believe were 1/2 bushels.) The people who work there were so kind to us, our dog was welcome and the scenery is beautiful. It’s one of my very favorite places to be in the Albany area. We also picked a quart each of blueberries and raspberries, $3 apiece, and bought a few local cheeses and apple cider in their store. The guys down in the orchard were kind enough to give my kids a free doughnut while we were picking (must be because it was close to the end of the day,) but I declined so then I had to buy one in the store. We all went home happy.

I hope everyone understands that a farmer has to price their “picking” so that they can keep their farm in business so everyone can enjoy apple picking every fall. Farming is a HARD business and their prifits are LOW. I hope everyone respects the farming business and how difficult it is to keep everyone happy while keeping prices resonable. You should thank the farmers for all the hard work they do all year to grow their produce and keep their orchard looking great for everyone to come and enjoy in the fall!